Safety of Children in Care

Oranga Tamariki is implementing a new approach to reporting on harm experienced by tamariki in care.

Measurement of harm

Since 2010, we have been reporting on the harm experienced by tamariki in our care. How we’ve done this has evolved over time.

Oranga Tamariki has worked with an Expert Measurement Group to develop a new approach which will allow us to identify harm of tamariki in care across all care settings earlier, and help ensure that we are providing safe and consistent responses to our most vulnerable tamariki.

Safety of Children in Care: Measurement of harm report

Safety of children in Care data

We are wholeheartedly committed to reducing the rates of harm in care over time. These measures can help us to fulfill this commitment to tamariki.

The measurement approach

The harm reported on includes four types of abuse - physical, sexual, emotional and neglect.

Reporting covers findings of harm for all categories of people who caused harm to children, not only caregivers.

Our Safety of Children in Care Unit will have visibility, in real time, to review cases where harm has been found.

This provides us with greater confidence that we have done everything we can to ensure the immediate and longer term safety of children in our care.

It allows us to better understand the underlying risk factors for tamariki in care; helping inform how we go about improving our practice, our support, and the services we need to provide for tamariki in care and their caregivers.